August 25, 2010

While I am justifiably proud of Jeff's summer accomplishments, I confess that his swindling and petty crime skills have also improved. I am attempting to be proactive in heading off the usual fall crime spree:

Jeff does not have discretionary spending money. If he needs money for school, I will send a check or a sealed envelope with a note. If Jeff has cash, be suspicious.

No gifts, souvenirs, prizes, toys from anyone. No trading or buying or selling or bartering with other students. Ever.

Jeff is not permitted to enter any retail establishment. Food court only, on sanctioned trips to the mall.

Jeff may not carry toys around school. I suspect he will sneak them to school, but you have carte blanche to confiscate anything that causes inattention or disruption. Just don't send it back home.

I also want to say how much I appreciate everyone's fondness for Jeff, but please don't give him stuff or ask me if it's OK to do it. This is a serious issue in our household. Don't be an enabler.

About Me

As long as you [prospective parents] are in your right mind don't you ever pray for twins. Twins amount to a permanent riot. And there ain't no real difference between triplets and an insurrection.
_____ MARK TWAIN * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Over a dozen years ago, in what can only be called an extreme act of hubris, my former husband and I adopted twin boys from Russia. Since then I generally feel like I am living in some bizarre reality TV show--SPEND A DECADE LIVING WITH TWO CRAAAAAZY KIDS!--or that I am a feature of a hard-hitting documentary exposé on the difficulties of raising children adopted from Eastern European orphanages--FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME, HYPERACTIVITY, LANGUAGE DELAYS, BEHAVIORAL IMPAIRMENTS, OBSESSIONS, COMPULSIONS: THIS WOMAN GOT MORE THAN SHE EXPECTED! After years of being urged by friends to write about the experience ... well, here 'tis.